Because some of the symptoms of flu, COVID, and other respiratory illnesses are similar, the difference between them cannot be made based on symptoms alone. Testing is needed to tell what the illness is and to confirm a diagnosis. Both COVID and flu can have varying degrees of signs and symptoms, ranging from no symptoms asymptomatic to severe symptoms. For both COVID and flu , 1 or more days can pass between when a person becomes infected and when he or she starts to experience illness symptoms.
Typically, a person experiences symptoms anywhere from 1 to 4 days after infection. Typically, a person experiences symptoms about 5 days after being infected , but symptoms can appear 2 to 14 days after infection. Older children and adults with flu appear to be most contagious during the initial days of their illness but many people remain contagious for about 7 days. People who are hospitalized with severe disease and people with weakened immune systems can be contagious for 20 days or longer.
Both COVID and flu can spread from person-to-person between people who are in close contact with one another within about 6 feet. Both are spread mainly by large and small particles containing virus that are expelled when people with the illness COVID or flu cough, sneeze, or talk.
These particles can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby and possibly be inhaled into the lungs. In some circumstances, such as indoor settings with poor ventilation, small particles might be spread further than 6 feet and cause infections. Although most spread is by inhalation, it may be possible that a person can get infected by touching for example, shaking hands with someone who has the virus on their hands or by touching a surface or object that has virus on it, and then touching their own mouth, nose, or eyes.
Both flu viruses and the virus that causes COVID can be spread to others by people before they begin showing symptoms; by people with very mild symptoms; and by people who never experience symptoms asymptomatic people. This means the virus that causes COVID can quickly and easily spread to a lot of people and result in continual spreading among people as time progresses. Those at highest risk include:. Most people who get flu will recover on their own in a few days to two weeks, but some people will experience severe complications , requiring hospitalization.
Some of these complications are listed above. Flu can have serious associated complications. Because colds and flu share many symptoms, it can be difficult or even impossible to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone. Special tests can tell if a person is sick with flu.
Cold symptoms are usually milder than the symptoms of flu. People with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose. Colds generally do not result in serious health problems. To receive weekly email updates about Seasonal Flu, enter your email address:. Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link.
Influenza Flu. Section Navigation. Some people can be infected with a flu virus but have no symptoms. During this time, those people may still spread the virus to others. You may be able to pass on flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick. To receive weekly email updates about Seasonal Flu, enter your email address:. Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link.
Influenza Flu. Section Navigation. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate. How Flu Spreads. Minus Related Pages. Person to Person People with flu can spread it to others up to about 6 feet away.
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